I can only imagine that old-school country vibes are a difficult sell in New York, but Dougie Poole, the self-proclaimed "Most Generally Well-Adjusted Country Singer/Songwriter" delivers just that, and in a way that may even be compelling for listeners with more Northern musical leanings. Olneyville System Special EP, his latest release, has one foot in traditional country, but there’s something about the instrumentation that feels very modern, and certainly self-aware. This, coupled with Poole’s smooth baritone voice makes the EP mandatory listening for even the most discerning anti-country New Yorker. Check out "Olneyville System Special" streaming below and catch Poole at Baby’s All Right 10/10 with Still Corners and Foxes in Fiction. -Olivia Sisinni
Ziemba founds label, release “LALA” single, tours Europe
We were among the first blogs to draw attention towards NYC’s Ziemba bravely decadent atmospheres and simple but stylish visuals. We are glad to report that the young lady has been keeping at it: Concept EP ‘LALA’ (produced by Jeremiah Meece, streaming below) is the first official release on Ardis Multiverse, the artist’s new multisensory imprint, and reflects a musical departure for Ziemba, compared to recent LP Hope is Never. In a setting that’s as dark, but more consistently electronic, Ziemba tells the story of "a succubus […] who lives in a cave and sequesters herself to protect the world from her capacity for destruction." Ziemba also announced a fall European tour. Recommended for those who miss Nico. – photo by Ben Grad.
Kiah Victoria releases “Everybody” EP + plays Pianos on 09.27
Talented 23-year-old Kiah Victoria’s graced the cover of The Deli in 2014 wih three other electronic ladies. Her brand of RnB blends her classic sounding voice with a more progressive electronic production. She has released three singles in 2016, which will soon be gathered in her new EP ‘Everybody’ – check out latest single ‘Hollow,’ streaming below. The release party is scheduled for September 27 at Pianos.
Vivienne Eastwood announces new EP, plays Night of Joy on 10.06
Modifying the brand name of an iconic British fashion designer largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream, Vivienne Eastwood is luckily more focused on sound than looks. This week they released brand new material from a new upcoming EP with single “Messy,” which explores slow-motion ambient landscapes that ebb and flow without any percussive beats. With densely layered fuzzed-out guitars leading the way, Loveless-era My Bloody Valentine and much of Slowdive’s catalog immediately come to mind. Like many of the tunes by those classic gazey bands, the track reveals more nuance with repeated listens. There is a driving bass line embedded within, along with silvery jingling around the sonic edges. Vocals come in backward masking waves, swirling up in the mix as if taking in a huge breath of air. The combined effect is both enchanting and mesmerizing. The band will host a release party on Thursday October 6 at Night Of Joy in Brooklyn where they will be DJing from 10pm on and play the EP in its entirety. – Dave Cromwell
Sharpless returns with shows at Shea Stadium (09.30) and Baby’s (10.06)
We covered pop rock duo Sharpless in this blog in 2014, during the CMJ Music Marathon, after the release of the band’s debut album ‘The One I Wanted to Be.’ Comprised of Jack Greenleaf and Montana Levy, the band at the time was based in Chicago. Two years later, we find them back in Jack’s native NYC, involved in the community of artists called The Epoch. Even though they have no new releases under their belt, they have been gigging regularly in 2016. Their electronic power pop’s epic sound is intentionally derailed by Greenleaf’s entertainingly zany inclinations, found both in the vocal and production department. Single ‘Greater Than (>)’ (streaming below) finds the perfect balance between anthemic power, eccentric production and vocal incisivity. You can catch them live at Shea Stadium on September 30 and at Baby’s All Right on October 10.
4 of the Best Emering NYC Artists in 2016: The Lemon Twigs, Maggie Rogers, Margaret Glaspy and Sofi Tukker
Check out the four NYC artists we covered in the latest issue of The Deli‘s Fresh Buzz section – they are the best of what’s coming up! You can read about them here.
Buzz Alert: serpentwithfeet to play Le Poisson Rogue Sept 30
NYC-based artist serpentwithfeet (aka Josiah Wise) is likely a man, but he delievers vocal lines with the intensity of something that lives outside the bounds of this dimension. This month he dropped his latest single "four ethers," a track that showcases both his almighty R&B vocal prowess, and his classically trained singing background. Wise’s effortlessly florid singing would be remarkable on its own, but what’s even more gripping is the music he pairs his vocals with. The instrumentals on "four ethers" charge forward with the gravitas of a requiem piece, slowly building in suspense only to torturously cut to a muted bass drum the moment you’d expect a big auditory payout. There is something solemn, something ethereal, perhaps supernal released in serpentwithfeet’s music. Check out "four ethers" streaming below off of the newly released blisters EP, and be sure to catch him opening at Le Poisson Rouge on 9/30 for Jenny Hval.-Olivia Sisinni
Fuzz rockers Peeling release debut EP, play Bovine Sex Club on 09.25
Comprised by members of Dilly Dally, Odonis Odonis and Mexican Slang, Peeling is a new Toronto super-group of sorts that’s about to release their debut EP ‘Rts in Paradise’ on Buzz Records. Single Leisure life plays with dissonance, odd tempos and seriously tense atmosphere to deliver a satisfying, modern post punk sound. Don’t miss their upcoming show at Bovine Sex Club on September 25.
Nashville Soccer Mommy releases “For Young Hearts” LP
Soccer Mommy (Sophie Allison) plays lo-fi bedroom pop soaked in melodic ennui. Today she’s featured on OhMyRockness.com, check it out!
Wingtip releases indie pop single ‘Rewind,’ tours the US in the fall
Quirky production is something we relate to here at The Deli NYC – maybe because, in the not too distant past, that’s what stellar local bands like Talking Heads and They Might Be Giants pulled off in rather epic ways. In the last year, Wingtip (Nick Perloff-Giles), has been releasing a series of dancy singles that found hundreds of thousand of online lovers, showcasing in each one of them an interest in slightly bending the rules of electronic dance music. None of them however is quite as quirky as this new single Rewind (streaming below) which features Sophie Strauss’ youthful and chilled vocals. The song departs from Wingtip’s dance-soul leanings, featuring a more indie pop approach that suits the vocalist’s style and the track’s content: "it’s a song about love and loss, but also just about how things change slowly, and you don’t notice until you pick your head up and wonder what happened." Wingtip just announced a fall tour whose NYC leg is scheduled at Output on November 10.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
The Two Lips serve up garage rock vibes on latest single “Repeat”
What if you spun your dial to the left and accidentally picked up a radio transmission from Mars? I’d like to think it’d sound something like The Two Lip‘s latest release "Repeat," a blitzed out garage rock track whose screeching opening sounds like it was snatched from a 1950’s outer-space B-movie. Despite the extraterrestrial leanings, the Austin-based three piece’s music is definitely of this earth–grounded primarily by heavy, fuzzy guitar riffs that cut the listener down with a visceral force. Though the track deals in garage hooks, the band blends in strong psych rock elements keeping things weird and oddly compelling. If music for funky martians is maybe your thing, check out "Repeat" streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
Slow Sugar releases single ‘Pieces,’ performs at Rockwood Music Hall on 10.4
Despite the word “slow” in their moniker, NYC based duo band Slow Sugar is reeling in listeners at supersonic speed with the release of their single “Pieces” (streaming below). Following the triumphant debut of “Hypnotic Love” (also streaming, released about a month ago), “Pieces” will drown your ears in a sea of rich harmonics born from cascading chord progressions, a sonorous, downtempo beat, and Danielle Harris’ sensual, soulful vocals. Catch them live at Rockwood Music Hall on October 4 and get ready—an EP is underway. – Ashley Muniz